Blues turn it around - into path of juggernaut

Troy Flavell showed he's up for it at the top level despite a two-year stint in Japan. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Blues' 21-20 win may have been the ugliest in an unsightly round but it was a heavenly result for the former champions.

They beat the Reds for the first time in Brisbane since rugby went pro in 1996 and also avoided their worst start to the series.

And they were also able to celebrate the successful return of blindside flanker Troy Flavell - all concerns the Blues needed to address before they play the undefeated Crusaders on Saturday.

Coach David Nucifora was not about to apologise for the methods behind the win, his side had only one mission at Suncorp Stadium.

"We just had to win and anything we had was put into that," he said.

The Blues kept much of the play close to their pack, where the bullocking Nick Williams, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Greg Rawlinson were prominent, or used first-five Tasesa Lavea to kick a lot more.

Those tactics worked with a decent amount of assistance from the locals.

Usually reliable Reds fullback Chris Latham spilled an opening Lavea bomb to gift Rua Tipoki a converted try and Elton Flatley, struggling to see past a bandage over his eye, missed a few kicks he would normally goal.

Eventually Lavea sacked himself after three misses and the side's fourth-rated kicker Isa Nacewa stepped up to kick two late penalties for the slim triumph.

After a frantic opening six minutes when three tries were scored, the match settled into one of pressure and penalties.

Nucifora said the side had to play better percentage rugby after opening defeats to the Hurricanes and Highlanders. They had put themselves under too much pressure trying to run the ball in those games.

Doug Howlett scored his 50th competition try with an early touch but had few other opportunities while Joe Rokocoko was also starved of ball.

It will take a great deal more from the Blues to upset the Crusaders but they will go to Christchurch in a much better frame of mind had they lost.

Flavell took some time to get involved as he worked into the rhythm, speed and pattern of rugby which he had not experienced for two years.

His influence improved, he was a valuable lineout target while his workrate and defence stayed high as he completed the entire match.

His fitness and discipline held even when he was goaded and fouled blatantly by Hugh McMenamin.

In previous years Flavell would have retaliated, but this time he appealed to the touch judge for backup.

It was not forthcoming but, with that gesture, Flavell suggested he was on a serious wavelength with his rugby.

The Blues were not yet convincing with a diffidence still evident from Steve Devine and Lavea. There is a lack of fluidity from the backline, the team's timing is still awry and they need some production from Ali Williams but they have halted the horrors of the opening fortnight.